ES2206255T3 - ELECTROMECHANICAL CONNECTION DEVICE. - Google Patents

Abstract

An electromechanical connector having a pair of detachably mateable contact mechanisms the housing of at least one of which includes an elastic wall to which is coupled at least one electrical contact which is either itself a magnetic member or which is coupled to a magnetic member. When the mechanisms are brought into mating proximity of one another, the magnetic member generates a force due to magnetic interaction with the other mechanism. The force causes the elastic wall to elastically yield, causing the contact to undergo an excursion into conducting relation with a corresponding contact of the other mechanism.

Description

Electromechanical connection device.

The invention refers to a device electromechanical connection of the class defined in detail in the preamble of claim 1.

A device of this class is described in the EP-0.573.471. Instead of a connection electric through a socket as a device power or power connection and a plug as a device of connection of the consumption apparatus, a system of connection and a disconnection system for the contribution of current, for which in both devices there are elements of contact formed as flat contacts with contact areas. In this way the power connection of a power supply to a consumer device is greatly simplified and also It is safer. In the case of a connection with a high number of volts and / or amps, such as a connection of 110 or 220 volts, when making a connection to the system disconnection, the contact elements can only power with a work skate in the connection device, which provides very high security Faults and voltage drops.

But even in case of a low connection voltage, flat contacts also have advantages with regarding a simple connection, easier cleaning and a secure contact connection. In the patent DE-29.610.996.7 describes a connection of few volts and low voltage, respectively, by which they are made operate appliances, for example low voltage, up to 24 volts, or that they must work with impulses and / or tensions of government.

With the use of two contact elements or, in certain cases, including three contact elements, can get correct flat contacts. However, the situation it is more difficult when contacts must be made with more contact elements, since in that case it is not guaranteed that the respective work items, which work together, stay in a good and safe flat contact with each other.

Certainly in the patent DE-29.610.996.7 already proposes to use elements of contact with preload springs, but in connections of contact with several poles one of these types of connection results relatively expensive and also exposed to failures.

Therefore, the present invention aims at improve an electromechanical connection device of the type before cited so that a connection of Multi-pole contact easily and with a connection secure contact

According to the invention this object is solved through the particularities contained in the part characteristic of claim 1.

Since at least the contact elements of one of both devices, that is the device of power supply or data or the device connection to the consumer or data reception device, go arranged on a wall at least partially elastic, at connect both devices to each other, thanks to the force magnetic, the contact elements can be oriented in the direction of the other respective device and thus achieve an optimal connection of flat contacts.

The electromechanical device for connecting according to the invention can be applied in different ways and in technical fields of the most diverse types. One of the fields of Preferred application is, for example, the low voltage sector for the transfer of small voltages with a very small number of volts (for example less than 24 V), to generate or provide steering tensions, connection impulses or data transmission.

For reasons of simplification, then speaks only of a power supply device and a connection device for consumer apparatus, even when, as will be understood also refers to devices provided exclusively or also in relation to additional drivers of voltage or impulses for data transfer. Naturally from This mode is also possible to transmit audio signals.

To reinforce the contact connection, by example to achieve a higher contact force, in case the contact elements of both devices on an elastic wall, for example a membrane of plastic.

The contact elements can be arranged separately from the magnetic pieces or magnetic components in the respective box, or also represent the magnetic parts. In the latter case, a connection device is obtained that occupies Very little space

In simple cases, in which there is no exact position of the contact elements or the arrangement of contact elements, just one of the two pieces that cooperate each other in the connection contact is made respectively as magnet and that the other is shaped as a magnetic piece.

If an exact provision is necessary of the different elements of contact with each other, the respective pieces that act magnetically between them of the device power supply and switching device to consumer apparatus conform as magnetic pieces with their corresponding polarities arranged in opposition. In this way a precise and exactly switching connection is achieved ready.

This connection can still improve more in what regards a safe switching and to avoid failures, if in other embodiment of the invention it is envisioned that each magnetic piece possess, in itself, different polarized magnetic particles arranged next to each other that cooperate respectively with a magnetic piece of the other device that has the corresponding Opposite polarized magnetic particles. In principle, a such embodiment is described in the patent DE-19.512.334 C1. A fundamental advantage of this embodiment lies in the fact that no one is obtained switching connection with opposite magnets that do not have the corresponding coding, especially if a skate is planned working or magnet in the power supply device, that is in standby position thanks to a magnet permanent, for example in a non-conductive current position, as described for example in the patent EP-0,573,471.

When the contact elements are integrated or airtight on the elastic wall, devices can be achieved of secure connection, which work without failure, even in media liquid or aggressive, or found in environments respectively aggressive, such as installations of painting. Naturally, it is fluid tight It must exist on both devices. That is, when there is only an elastic wall in one of both devices, the wall corresponding of the other device must also be conformed in such a way that the wall of the housing in which the contact elements, be fluid tight.

Other claims indicate other advantageous embodiments and execution of the invention, being described below an exemplary embodiment thereof referring to principle drawing.

In the same:

Figure 1 is an enlarged representation of a section along line I-I of figure 2, through of the electromechanical connection device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of a power supply device or data according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a power supply or data device with respectively three mechanical contact elements connected with a magnet; Y

Figure 4 is another example of how to embodiment that corresponds essentially to the example in the figure 1, but nonetheless with an additional work skate.

Figures 1 and 2 show a device of power supply or data 1 with a housing 1a, in which four contact elements 2 arranged as flat contacts, which work together with a device switching of consumption or data apparatus 3 arranged in a housing 3a, with contact elements 4 also formed as flat contacts, to make a connection device from A power source to a consumer device. At the same time, the contact elements 2 are shaped as magnets of switching or magnetic switching components and elements of contact 4 are configured at the same time as magnets of tripping or magnetic tripping components, respectively. The contact elements 2 of the power supply device or data 1 are connected respectively and individually through 5 conductors with a current, voltage or pulse source, no represented. The same applies to contact elements 4 of the switching device of the consumption or intake apparatus of data 3, from which drivers leading to an apparatus start of consumption, not represented. In certain cases, they can also the conductors do not exist, if the contact elements 4 go arranged directly in connection with the consumer device or with the point of admission of current, voltage or impulses, respectively. Fundamentally, the switching device at data consumption or admission device 3 may have the same construction that the power or data power device 1, for which reason the same reference has been used for similar parts (with the exception of contact elements 2 and 4).

As can be seen in the representation enlarged in figure 1, the front front sides 7 of the contact element 2 are flat and at least they go close together of the surface of the housing 1a, to which a switching device of a consumer device 3. The contact elements 2 are inserted into an elastic wall 8 of the housing - also joined with its surface. The elastic wall 8 It can be of various materials. In the simple way it is about a flexible plastic, for example a membrane. Wall 8 circles the contact elements 2, at least in the area of the front sides fluid tight or there are contact elements 2 fluid tightly inserted and only they have their front sides free 7.

The contact elements 2 placed or incorporated into the elastic wall 8 can be completely planes, that is to say without convexity, if they act at the same time through of magnetic forces. In guided flat contacts mechanically, a safe application of the contact surfaces For this reason, in the case of contacts planes, in the current state of the art, usually one of the two flat contacts have a convex shape, which is achieved practically and necessarily a point of contact.

A contact surface that acts by energy magnetic, as proposed according to the invention, leaves the elements of contact 2 completely flat and exactly centered between yes. The condition for this is the elastic wall 8 according to the invention, which allows a respective movement with freedom in axial and radial direction. Naturally, the elastic wall 8 should not completely encircle the contact elements, as it has been represented in figure 1. If necessary and determined enough that the elastic wall 8 forms a special membrane in the area surface and thus the contact elements remain free in the back area, so that they can still move more easily, because especially the back area of the contact elements must be able to move completely, so that the contact surface there are 7 of these elements of all front sides contact 2.

A flat contact of this type results especially advantageous for the transfer of high values of power, especially high current, to avoid a Inadmissible heating due to a contact surface too small

In the sound transmission in lows, but also at high frequencies, a point of contact would mean also a limitation of sound quality. In such frequencies circulate large currents, especially in the sound transmissions with a high number of watts, which It requires the corresponding safe contacts. With the elements of contact 2 according to the invention, such requirements, so that the contact elements of the required size and compliance with respective requirements.

So that the contact elements 2 remain held securely in the elastic wall 8, said elements of contact 2 may be provided with extensions, such as of an annular appendix in its peripheral wall. The same goes for the  elastic wall 8, which has one or more extensions of diameter 10, for example in the form of a ring, so that the whole unit is safely placed in the 1st housing.

Likewise, the contact elements 2 also they may be provided with a travel limitation. The same it can be formed, for example, by strangulations or recesses 11 in the contact elements, in which there is a stop member, for example in the form of a ring or a plate 12 with space for connection. The plate or ring 12 is fixed to the housing 1a and is supported by the wall 8.

Fundamentally, the switching device to the consumption or data admission device 3 has the same construction that the power supply device or data 1. For this reason, the equivalent parts bear the same references - up to contact elements 4.

If the switching device is now placed to the consumption or data admission device 3 to the device supply of current or data 1, so that the elements of contact of the switching device to the consumer or data admission 3 match the contact elements of the power supply device or data 1, due to the elastic wall 8 the contact elements 2 "arch" outwards or on the contact elements 4 of the device switching to the consumption or data admission apparatus 3, and vice versa so do contact elements 4 on your wall elastic 8, thus achieving a good surface contact for all contact elements throughout the area of its sides front 7.

In this case, the plate or ring 12 acts as travel limiter, together with the respective rear wall, for contact elements 2 and 4 that move towards each other others due to the recess 11, the game space 9 existing in  plate 12. In this case, contact elements 2 or 4, respectively, they abut the back wall of the plate 12. In general, a travel of, for example 0.1 to 0.5 mm, should be enough to get the corresponding plane contact insurance. This means that a game of this order between plate 12 and the recesses 11 in the contact elements 2 and 4 must be Enough in general. The advantage of this embodiment resides in the fact that when removing the contact elements or with an excessive pressure from the front, does not tire unnecessarily the membrane.

In certain cases, the contact elements 4 in the switching device to the consumer device or to the data admission 3 can also be found, in a form of simplified embodiment, on a rigid wall, as long as it does not there is an elastic wall 8 of the same embodiment as the wall 8 described with reference to figure 2, to maintain a best contact even when there is a series of contact elements 2 and 4.

As you can see, this way you can get a connection device with any amount of desired poles or contact elements, each with a secure contact The fields of application are for example robots, such as those used for example in the industry of car, when you have to change paint heads and at the same Time should be transmitted data. Especially in the environment aggressive paint shop, flat contact elements according to the invention they have notable advantages over the well-known plug-in connections, which are difficult to clean and also often spoil frequently which makes it result unusable

Other fields of application are, for example, vehicle trailer couplings, which generally has 13 poles, and connections for computer components and their equipment peripherals with each other, such as a USB BUS system.

Another field of application is, for example, the construction of boats or boats, with the problem that presents in regard to the aggressiveness of water, especially of salt water.

If you want to avoid constantly existing current in the contact elements 2 of the device power supply or data 1, it is only necessary to provide a working skate between the contact elements 2 and the conductor connections. In the patent EP-0.573.471 describes one of such skates of work or magnetic and its operation.

To make a magnetic connection is enough if, for example, the contact elements 2 of the power supply device or dice are shaped as magnets and contact elements 4 of the device switching to the consumption or data admission device 3 be a magnetic material, such as iron. Naturally, a reverse arrangement is also possible.

When components are used exclusively magnetic, you have to arrange them so that the elements of contact of the power supply or data device 1 and from the switching device to the consumption or intake device of data 3 are face to face with the various polarities. As in electromechanical connection devices according to EP-0.573.471 or DE-19.512.334 C1 may be provided with the corresponding magnets "coded" 2 and 4 as contact elements, to maintain an exact arrangement of the different contact elements 2 and 4 each other.

An arrangement of the contact elements that saves a lot of space.

Unlike Figures 1 and 2, in that contact elements 2 and 4 are at the same time the magnets of switching or tripping magnets, respectively, or corresponding magnetic components, in these cases they are separated from the corresponding magnets. In figure 3 it has represented the power supply device or data 1 ' with three 2 'switching magnets. Each switching magnet 2 'goes mechanically fixed through three ribs 14 distributed regularly on the periphery, which should not be conductive of electricity, connected with contact elements 2, also in shape of flat contacts. The three 2 'switching magnets are inserted into the elastic wall 8 'together with its elements of contact 20 joined through the ribs 14. When placing a switching device of a consumption or intake device 3 'mirror-shaped data, thanks to the elasticity of the wall 8 ', also the respective three contact elements 20 of Each magnet comes into flat contact with the contact elements respective of the other device, as a flat contact of this type can be manufactured perfectly up to three pieces to contact each.

Naturally, the three 2 'firing magnets placed next to each other have only been represented as example in figure 3. With a corresponding increase in size or elongation of the housing, the amount of contact elements 20 that are desired in a very narrow space. As will be understood in these cases, the circular shaped device.

In Figure 1 it can also be seen that the wall elastic 1 is provided with a fold 15 directed outwards in the front side zone 7. Thanks to this form of realization is even better guaranteed a tight connection to the fluids

Eventually, the same also applies to the elastic wall 8 of the switching device of the apparatus consumption or admission of data 3.

When, in a very narrow space, you should put on a series of contact elements to get a connection device with a large number of poles, so that the contact elements 2 or 4, respectively, have a diameter very small, in order to increase the magnetic force by one or both devices, that is the power supply device or data 1 and / or from the switching device to the consumption device or of data admission 3, a reinforcing magnet 16 is provided behind or on the corresponding side in opposition to the other device (see the dashed drawing of Figure 1, together with a housing 1a, also represented in strokes, for additional placement magnet 16). In a connection of both devices to each other, the magnet of reinforcement 16 correspondingly increases the magnetic force and move contact elements 2 or 4 forward from behind in the direction of the other device, so that the elastic wall 8 it can "beat" more easily outward and therefore provide a safer connection of flat contacts.

The power supply device or data 1 can be incorporated with its housing 1a in devices, fasteners, wall parts or various installations 17 that are wish. The same applies to the device switching device of consumption or admission of data 3.

In Figure 4 another example of form is described of realization that is fundamentally constructed in the same way as the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1. By such reason, the same references have been maintained for the pieces equivalent.

In addition to the embodiment example of figure 1, the power or data supply device 1 is provided with a working skate 21 inside the 1st housing. As indicated before, the operation of the Working skate 21 has already been described in the patent EP-0.573.471, which is why only Will treat in a concise manner.

As can be seen, in this case magnets 2 and 4, and the contact elements are arranged separately and provided again with the reference "20" for the elements contact in the power supply and data device 1, and with "4" for the contact elements of the device switching to the consumption or data admission device 3. The magnets 2 and the conductor 5 connections are connected to the working skates 21 or arranged on them. The skate of work 21 is held in rest position by means of a magnet retention 22. The retention magnet 22, which can be shaped annul, is arranged in the working skate 21 of the device switching to the consumption apparatus or to the admission of data 3, in the 1st housing. Naturally, instead of a retention magnet 22 a piece can also be used, which is ferromagnetic, and that therefore attract the work skate with the magnets in place over.

As is evident, in this way I still don't know get no current connection for conduction between ducts 5 and contact elements 20 '. Only when place the switching device to the consumer or data admission 3, work skate 4 is lifted, due to the attractive forces of magnets 2 and 4, from their resting position overcoming the strength of the retention magnet 22 and a contact between conductors 5 and contact elements 20 ', and with this a current connection is formed to the elements of 4 '' contact of the switching device to the consumer device or of data admission 3, respectively. Naturally, for that. you have to choose the right magnetic force between the magnet of retention 22 and magnets 2 so that the forces of attraction of magnets 4 are larger and, by the way, taking into account that magnets 2 and 4 do not reach the surface respectively, but that are somewhat delayed or inserted (magnet 4 on the wall elastic 8 and magnet 2 under a cover). When removing the device switching to the consumer device or to the admission of data 3, respectively, work skate 21 with magnet 2 is again attracted by the retention magnet 22 and therefore the work skate 21 returns to its resting position. In this way, the elements of 20 'contact, which are accessible when the switching device to the consumption or intake device of data 3, do not carry current.

The device according to the invention can also be used, among others, in a very convenient way for power transmission and signal transfer for telephony mobile, which for example must be done through a system of Live voice in a vehicle. In this case, a quantity of contacts For the transmission of HF signals, which generally they must be provided with a shield and generally used in coaxial cables, the power supply device or data 1 and the switching device to the consumer device or to the admission of data 3 must be provided with corresponding contact connections for driving HF signals.

If, for reasons of space, you have to accommodate several 4 'contacts, in certain cases it may be necessary that the magnets 4 are electrically shielded by a layer intermediate insulator 23, so that short circuits do not occur. For anchoring the magnets 4 on the elastic wall 8, the same may be provided with annular appendages 24. The same applies for magnets 2 on work skates 21. As a solution alternatively, annular grooves 25 have been provided here, in which penetrates work skate material 21.

The widenings 26 on the back of the 4 'contact elements or on the periphery of the connections conductor 6 have a function similar to recesses 11 of the Figure 1, that is to say, to limit the elastic wall compression 8. As can be seen, between the widenings 26 and the wall there is a slit on the back of the housing 3a, so that the elastic wall can only have an outward comb as this game allows, on the occasion of the magnetic force.

Two examples are shown in Figure 2 Mounting types for the power supply device or data 1, for this kind of contact with dashed circles "27" for a central coaxial arrangement and with "28" for an arrangement with peripheral zone. According to the provision of contact 27 or 28 respectively an opposite contact is provided or an opposite connection piece (not shown) on the device switching of the consumption or data admission device 3.

Claims (15)

1. Electromechanical device for connection with the following particularities:

to)

a device of power supply or data that can be connected through current contacts with a current transfer source or data;

b)

the device of power supply or data is arranged in a housing and features switching magnets or magnetic switching parts and contact elements;

c)

a device of switching with consumer or data admission device provided in a housing and that can be electrically connected with an appliance of consumption or point of admission;

d)

the device of switching of the consumption device or data admission presents firing magnets or magnetic firing pieces and elements of Contact; Y

and)

connecting the power supply or data device with the device switching of the consumption or data admission device can establish a transfer of current, impulses or data between the contact elements, formed as flat contacts, of the power or data power device and the device switching to the device or data admission,

characterized by the fact that at least the contact elements (2 or 4, respectively) of one of both devices (power supply or data device (1) or the switching device to the consumption or data admission apparatus (3)) are arranged in a wall (8) at least partially elastic of the corresponding housing (1st, 3rd). 2. Electromechanical connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact elements (2 or 4, respectively) have their front sides at least almost joined to the partially elastic wall surface (8) . 3. Electromechanical connection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the switching magnets or magnetic switching components (2) and the firing magnets or magnetic firing components (4) of the feeding device of current or data (1) and / or the switching device of the consumption or data admission apparatus (3) simultaneously form the contact elements. 4. Electromechanical connection device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the switching magnets (2) in the power or data supply device (1) and the trip magnets (4) in the switching device of the consumption or data admission apparatus (3) they are in opposition to a certain polarity (coding) arrangement, which in a switched state corresponds respectively to a north pole with a south pole of the opposite side. 5. Electromechanical connection device according to claim 4, characterized in that each respective magnet (switching magnet or tripping magnet (2, 4)) is coded in such a way, having several small magnetic particles with different polarity , which in connected state meet the respective magnetic particles of opposite polarity of the other device. 6. Electromechanical connection device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the contact elements (2) are incorporated or placed fluid-tight in the wall (8) at least partially elastic. 7. Electromechanical connection device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the at least partially elastic wall (8) consists of a plastic membrane. 8. Electromechanical connection device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the contact elements (2), which are arranged in the at least partially elastic wall (8), have a limitation of tour (11, 12). 9. Electromechanical connection device according to claim 8, characterized in that the contact elements (2 or 4, respectively) have one or more recesses (11) in the periphery, which cooperate with at least one stop (12) in the housing (1) or a part connected to the housing (1st or 3rd, respectively). 10. Electromechanical connection device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the outer periphery of the at least partially elastic wall (8) is previously turned outwardly to form a seal ring (15 ). 11. Electromechanical connection device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the power or data supply device (1) and / or the switching device of the consumption or intake device for data (3) is provided with a reinforcing magnet (16) which is located - with respect to the other device - respectively behind the switching magnets or magnetic switching components (2) or the firing magnets or magnetic firing components (4), so that the size or diameter of the reinforcing magnet (16) corresponds several times to that of the switching magnet or magnetic switching components (2) or to the trip magnet or magnetic trip components (4). 12. Electromechanical connection device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that with each switching magnet or magnetic switching component (2) and / or each trip magnet or magnetic trip component are connected up to three contact elements (20) mechanically fixed. 13. Electromechanical connection device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the power or data supply device (1) is provided with a connection contact (27, 28) for the transmission of HF signals, which can be connected to an HF contact, arranged in the switching device of the consumption or data admission unit (3). 14. Electromechanical connection device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the power or data supply device (1) is provided with a work skate (21) movable in the direction of the power device. switching of the data consumption or admission apparatus (3), so that the connection between the contact elements (2) and the conductors (5) is carried out through working skates (21) in such a way that the transfer of current or data is only produced with the switching device of the consumption or data admission device placed. 15. Electromechanical connection device according to claim 14, characterized in that a magnet is arranged on the side of the work skate (21) opposite the switching device of the consumption or data admission apparatus (3) of retention or a piece of ferromagnetic material (22).